Eliquis and AFIB

@kick I see your reasoning, and I support it....for what that might be worth to you. I have seen posts across sites dealing with heart arrhythmias where people state that their BP plummeted, but so did their heart rate. In some cases, to the point of long pauses, like 10 seconds or more with no beats (my hand is up). If we can safely, and reasonably, predict that your claimed '...usually 117/59...' is correct for almost all of the time when you're not active and lifting things or moving quickly, that's not a bad set of numbers...enviable for many of us. But, you won't know if those numbers will fall too far, especially the diastolic 59, unless you agree to do a trial of the metoprolol...which can help if all else is good. Just offering that as a way to not rule out something your cardiologist thinks might be of benefit to you, and who knows, it may help to reduce your anxiety in the long run if you know you have a strong 'team' working for you.

My AF, a progressive disorder, was beginning to pick up speed on its slide toward persistent AF, at which point it becomes more involved to tame and to treat, such as with an ablation. At one point I was up to 150 mg of metoprolol and felt tingling on the back of my neck and felt weird...while driving! !!! Later, when I was in intensive care for recurrent arrhythmia, and had just been re-upped to the 150 mg of metoprolol, the nurse came running into my room only to find me chatting with my wife...unaware. She held her forefingers about ten inches apart and said they had watched my heart pause 'that long' on their monitor. (Gulp!) I stopped metoprolol right then and there and was prescribed amiodarone. But I followed the helpful and concerned internist who actually managed to get ahold of my very busy EP and they agreed that I must cease metoprolol and start amiodarone. So, my long point is that the drug may be helpful, but if you elect to decline to take it, you'll never know. With reasonably monitoring, say every hour for the first coupla days, you may find that you handle the metoprolol well, that it doesn't ash-can your BP, and that you find yourself pleasantly surprised at how well it makes you feel.

@kick
Anxiety an cause heart rhythm problems.
Try:
https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/how-to-reduce-anxiety-quickly

@lenmayo
I had an episode of AFib on the 25th of November. Was put on Eliquist from Doc in ER. Saw the cardiologist 10 days later and she agreed I should be on it. I have a lot of anxiety over this. I loved my morning coffee which now makes it worse. Can’t shake the anxiety even after deep breathing & yoga.
She suggested metoprolol might help. My blood pressure is usually 117/59. I am worried it will drop to low. Already side effects Eliquist are headaches, light headed, anxious feelings without the metoprolol. Have not had another episode of AFib since the 25th of November. Has anyone experiencing this? If so how do you deal with this?

@lenmayo
I had an episode of AFib on the 25th of November. Was put on Eliquist from Doc in ER. Saw the cardiologist 10 days later and she agreed I should be on it. I have a lot of anxiety over this. I loved my morning coffee which now makes it worse. Can’t shake the anxiety even after deep breathing & yoga.
She suggested metoprolol might help. My blood pressure is usually 117/59. I am worried it will drop to low. Already side effects Eliquist are headaches, light headed, anxious feelings without the metoprolol. Have not had another episode of AFib since the 25th of November. Has anyone experiencing this? If so how do you deal with this?

I was put on Eliquis after 5 days of non stop afib to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart (first event with 130-160 bpm being average) after cardioversion. My fitbit alerted me and the next day my ICD lab called. I am happy to know that modern technology is looking out for me.

@deniseheart AFIB’s: At least Google MAZE PROCEDURE. BIG AT MAYO.

@kick For context, I want to share where my comments are coming from. I’ve spent more than 20 years independently investigating epidemiological data, scientific literature, and peer-reviewed medical research across a wide range of topics. My focus has always been on primary sources—original studies, systematic reviews, and consensus statements—rather than summaries, headlines, or anecdotal reports.

I make a point of cross-checking claims, understanding study design and limitations, and distinguishing between correlation, causation, and hypothesis. When evidence is incomplete or evolving, I try to say so clearly. When strong data exist, I rely on that rather than speculation or opinion.

I’m not here to persuade or argue, but to contribute information that is evidence-based, transparent, and open to correction if better data emerge. Thoughtful discussion grounded in reliable science benefits everyone, and that’s the spirit in which I participate here.

You’re definitely not alone in this — anxiety after a first AFib episode is extremely common, and many people describe exactly what you’re feeling.

A few points that may help:

1. Anxiety after AFib is very real An AFib episode is frightening, and the body often stays in a “hyper-alert” state afterward. That alone can cause palpitations, lightheadedness, headaches, and a sense of internal jitteriness — which can easily be mistaken for medication side effects.

2. Caffeine can worsen anxiety (even if it didn’t before) Many people who tolerated coffee for years suddenly find it increases anxiety after an arrhythmia event. This doesn’t mean you’ll never enjoy it again — some switch to half-caf or decaf for a while and reintroduce slowly once things settle.

3. Eliquis (apixaban) Eliquis itself is not known to cause anxiety, but headaches and lightheadedness are reported, especially early on. For most people, these symptoms improve over a few weeks as the body adjusts.

4. Metoprolol and low blood pressure Your BP of 117/59 is not “too low.”
Low-dose metoprolol is often prescribed specifically to reduce adrenaline effects, heart rate spikes, and anxiety sensations. Many people actually feel calmer on it. Doctors usually start at a very low dose and adjust slowly. If dizziness or fatigue occurs, the dose can be changed or stopped.

5. No recurrence since Nov 25 is reassuring That’s an important detail. One isolated episode does not mean AFib will be frequent or permanent. The anticoagulant is often prescribed for stroke prevention while your risk is being assessed, not because something dangerous is happening right now.

6. What helps people cope:

Limiting caffeine (temporarily):

Gentle activity like walking:

Magnesium if approved by your doctor:

Reassurance and education about AFib:

Time — anxiety often eases as confidence returns:

Bottom line:

What you’re experiencing is very common after a first AFib episode. Anxiety can amplify every sensation. A low-dose beta blocker like metoprolol is frequently used because it helps both the heart and the nervous system, even in people with normal blood pressure.

You’re asking the right questions, and it’s okay to go slowly and reassess. Many people in this situation improve significantly over weeks, not days.

Your body is recovering from a scare.

@lenmayo
I had an episode of AFib on the 25th of November. Was put on Eliquist from Doc in ER. Saw the cardiologist 10 days later and she agreed I should be on it. I have a lot of anxiety over this. I loved my morning coffee which now makes it worse. Can’t shake the anxiety even after deep breathing & yoga.
She suggested metoprolol might help. My blood pressure is usually 117/59. I am worried it will drop to low. Already side effects Eliquist are headaches, light headed, anxious feelings without the metoprolol. Have not had another episode of AFib since the 25th of November. Has anyone experiencing this? If so how do you deal with this?